Sprint and SoftBank filed moves to consolidate Clearwire 2.5 GHz spectrum, and T-Mobile moved on MetroPCS acquisition … 4 years ago this week.
Editor’s Note: RCR Wireless News goes all in for “Throwback Thursdays,” tapping into our archives to resuscitate the top headlines from the past. Fire up the time machine, put on the sepia-tinted shades, set the date for #TBT and enjoy the memories!
Sprint Nextel, SoftBank file petition with FCC
Sprint Nextel and potential majority owner SoftBank took the next step in consummating their proposed merger with the filing of license transfers with the Federal Communications Commission. The filing is a necessary step in SoftBank’s proposed $20 billion acquisition of a 70% stake in the country’s No. 3 wireless operator, which was announced earlier this year. In the filing, both companies ask for approval for the transfer of control of Sprint Nextel’s spectrum licenses to SoftBank as well as transferring Sprint Nextel’s interest in 2.5 GHz spectrum licenses held by Clearwire. … Read More
MetroPCS’ future remains unsettled
T-Mobile USA’s pending acquisition of MetroPCS looks to have been a deal a long time in the making, and according to some, could still see additional maneuvering. MetroPCS released a proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission late last week detailing the processes that culminated with T-Mobile USA’s proposed bid for the regional carrier in early October. Analysts that spent their weekend sifting through the document found that MetroPCS had been in at least some form of discussion with up to nine separate companies regarding a potential acquisition and that at least one company could still be set to put in a bid. … Read More
Report: Google and Dish considering cellular network
They say bad news comes in threes, and if that’s true then wireless carriers have reached their quota of bad news from Google this week. First, the search engine giant launched its Nexus 4 smartphone, selling out of the GSM/HSPA+ device in one day in a sharp reminder that consumers are increasingly comfortable without wireless service contracts. Then, Google launched its superfast fiber network in Kansas City, claiming speeds of 1 Gigabit/second. And now, reports have surfaced that say Google is trying to launch a cellular network. … Read More
New Intel leader could reunite Intel, ARM
Intel says CEO Paul Otellini’s decision to leave the company was entirely his, but nonetheless it could end up being just what the chip giant needs. A change at the top might pave the way for a shift in strategy that could make Intel more competitive in mobile. Industry insiders say an Intel-ARM alliance would have been unthinkable for Otellini, but could be just what the company needs. Intel does have a history of licensing ARM’s chip designs, but Otellini sold Intel’s ARM-based chip business to Marvell six years ago in order to focus fully on Intel’s x86 processors. “Otellini was the architect of the … x86 exclusive strategy and has rebuffed the idea that Intel license ARM processors for mobile devices,” says analyst Kevin Krewell of The Linley Group. … Read More
Verizon Wireless sells 700 MHz license to Panhandle
Verizon Wireless continued to move 700 MHz spectrum assets it deems unnecessary, announcing a deal today to sell a lower B-Block license covering 12 counties in Texas to Oklahoma-based Panhandle Telecommunications. Terms of the agreement were not released. Verizon Wireless last week unloaded a lower B-Block license covering four counties north of Dallas to Nortex Communications, also for an undisclosed sum. Verizon Wireless noted that the two sales were the first to be signed as part of the carrier’s plans to unload A- and B-Block spectrum licenses in the 700 MHz band in connections with its recently approved purchase of 1.7/2.1 GHz spectrum licenses from a handful of cable providers. … Read More
FirstNet explores public safety network options
The board of the proposed national public safety network, FirstNet, had its first meeting, collecting the first round of comments on proposals for the broad outline of the network. FirstNet has floated three network alternatives for the planned LTE public safety network that it is tasked to create: a stand-alone network; working with a single nationwide wireless operators; or creating a network that works with multiple wireless operators and systems. The third option has been the most well received. During opening remarks at the FirstNet board meeting, Chairman Sam Ginn commented that the undertaking will be “the most complicated telecommunications project in the nation’s history, without question.” … Read More
Cisco’s $1.2B purchase of Meraki targets cloud networking, mid-market enhancement
Cisco says it will acquire cloud networking company Meraki for $1.2 billion in cash. Meraki focuses on mid-market customers, offering networking solutions that can be centrally managed from the cloud. When the acquisition is complete, Meraki will form Cisco’s new cloud networking group, led by Meraki CEO Sanjit Biswas. Cisco noted that the acquisition of Meraki complements and expands its strategy to offer more software-centric solutions to simplify network management, help customers empower mobile workforces and generate new revenue opportunities for partners. Last week Cisco unveiled a new Wi-Fi location platform meant to help businesses monetize their Wi-Fi networks by making real-time offers to customers. Meraki’s expertise in cloud-controlled Wi-Fi will complement this offering. … Read More
MetroPCS to decommission 10,000 sites as part of T-Mobile USA deal
MetroPCS and T-Mobile USA provided some more insight into their proposed merger during an analyst conference this morning in Barcelona, Spain, which is expected to be followed up with a filing at the Securities and Exchange Commission in regards to the benefits of their pending deal. According to Wells Fargo Securities senior analyst Jennifer Fritzsche, MetroPCS explained that by eventually moving its customer base over to the joint LTE network it will look to decommission approximately 10,000 of its current 11,500 cell sites at a cost savings of up to $7 billion. The remaining sites, along with MetroPCS’ approximately 6,000 distributed antenna system deployments would be retained. … Read More
AT&T launches PTT service via LTE
AT&T has announced a new Push-to-Talk (PTT) service that runs on its LTE network, targeting business and public safety customers with new ruggedized devices and the promise of new perks as well as service quality that is comparable to legacy technologies. The carrier already offers several devices that can be used for the Enhanced PTT service, including two BlackBerry devices and the Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro, and two other Samsung Galaxy devices onto which the new PTT service can be downloaded. The Galaxy Rugby Pro is an Android smartphone built to military specifications with full device encryption and corporate email support. … Read More
Texas Instruments to cut 1,700 jobs
Texas Instruments will lay off 1,700 people and stop designing chips for mobile devices. The Dallas semiconductor giant says the news is in line with its previously announced decision to focus on chips embedded into a range of wireless products other than smartphones and tablets. “These job reductions are something we do with a heavy heart because they impact people we care deeply about,” said Greg Delagi, TI’s senior vice president of embedded processing. The company said the cuts will take affect over several quarters, and will affect employees worldwide. About 500 jobs will be cut in Dallas. Overall, TI is eliminating just under 5% of its workforce, based on 2011 end-of-year numbers. The company says the cuts will save roughly $450 million a year, beginning next year. … Read More
